Statement from the New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association

23 March 2017

AIR LINE PILOTS TO FIGHT SUPREME COURT APPEAL

The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) board today announced it will fund and fight to maintain the recent Court of Appeal decision for the Director of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to reconsider his review of the 90-metre safety area for an extended Wellington Airport runway.

Earlier this week, Wellington International Airport Limited (WIAL) announced that it would appeal the decision and seek leave to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

NZALPA president Tim Robinson said the Board was unanimous in its commitment to continue and expressed its disappointment that yet more Wellington rate payer’s money was going to be spent appealing a clear and sound judgement by the Court of Appeal.

In the Court of Appeal decision the Director of the CAA and WIAL were also ordered to pay NZALPA’s costs.

“The shear amount of public money WIAL is spending on litigation could instead go towards providing the mechanism that is needed to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crew,” Robinson said.

“This also includes helping to maintain the reputation of Wellington as a premium and safe tourist destination, as well as a ensuring the guests of government and other visitors arrive safely every day in and out of the Capital.”

“We simply can’t understand WIAL’s motivation for this appeal. As commercial pilots and air traffic controllers, our members have much to gain from an increase in flights landing and leaving from Wellington Airport, but not at any cost,” Robinson said.

Meanwhile, NZALPA has been advised that the Environment Court hearing of WIAL’s application for resource consents associated with the runway extension has been adjourned indefinitely.

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